Overview & Reviews

The Volkswagen New Beetle was the cute car that started the retro-futurist design craze. It was a modernized version of the legendary VW Beetle and struck a chord with consumers who had grown tired of standard conservative car designs and had fond memories of the "Bugs" from their youth.

But that was 1998. As more than a decade passed without a major redesign, the New Beetle started to seem like a retro version of itself. With sales dropping steadily, VW decided to discontinue the New Beetle after the 2010 model year. A redesigned model, just called the Beetle, debuted a year later.

Shopping for a used New Beetle is pretty straightforward. It didn't change much, so you can shop mostly on price and mileage, though paying attention to engine availability through the years will likely be useful.

Most Recent Volkswagen New Beetle
The first-generation Volkswagen New Beetle was produced from 1998-2010. It was initially only offered as a two-door hatchback, and the convertible showed up for 2003.

Although the New Beetle was based on the Golf platform from the late 1990s, it had less interior space than today's Golf (and the '90s Golf for that matter) as well as most other compact hatchbacks. The front seats were roomy, but the same couldn't be said of the back. Trunk space was tight in the hatchback and even tighter in the convertible. The convertible came with a power-folding top as standard.

Models up to 2005 used the GL, GLS and GLX designations to reflect the various trim levels, as well as a standard 115-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual was standard on the Volkswagen New Beetle, with a four-speed automatic usually optional. A 100-hp 1.9-liter turbodiesel was also offered (the TDI trim) until the end of 2006, when it failed to meet new emissions regulations.

Until the last few years of its lengthy life, turbocharged gasoline engines were a big part of the New Beetle's trim lineup. Sold from 1999-2005, the New Beetle 1.8T was powered by a 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder, which put out 150 hp. From 2002-'04, VW included the Turbo S trim in the coupe lineup. It was equipped with a retuned 180-hp version of the 1.8T turbo engine and a six-speed manual transmission. For 2006 and thereafter, the only gasoline-powered engine available was a 2.5-liter five-cylinder that produced 150 hp and was coupled to either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.

As the years wore on, Volkswagen added a few features like satellite radio, but changes to the equipment level were light, as the car was pretty well-equipped with items such as air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and in later years, heated seats.

Volkswagen released several special-edition models, though, including limited-edition colors and trim packages. For 2002, VW added a Sport edition, which essentially was a 1.8T with a five-speed manual, 17-inch wheels and a leather interior.

In reviews, we found that the Volkswagen New Beetle excelled at what it was built for -- cruising and being seen in. It was a good choice for young singles or retired folks who only rarely needed a backseat, but other hatchbacks were far more practical. The original base engine was pokey and unrefined, so finding one of the turbocharged units would be a wise idea. The subsequent five-cylinder offered just as much power as the previous turbocharged engines and was more efficient, but wasn't as energetic and sapped some fun out of the Beetle. Those interested in the convertible should be aware that rearview visibility is poor with the top up or down.

User Reviews:

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  VW New Beetle Always in the Repair Shop! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By J. Engle - June 3 - 2:40 am

  We bought a new 2000 VW GLS 1.8T since my wife had owned an original Beetle for over 15 years. We were hoping the second time around would be as good or better than the first Beetle she had owned. The New Beetle we bought was constantly in the shop for chronic and annoying electrical problems. The entire front dash wiring went out just after the warranty expired. We got tired of spending repair money on this New Beetle and the fact that it was constantly in the repair shop for electrical problems. We went out and bought a new 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid which we love for the gas mileage and which has never had any repairs other than routine maintenance. We will never buy a VW product again!

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  Beetle Madness - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By wlplumb - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Wifey loves it! Clutch went at 8K mi. Dealer wanted to blame me. Roadside service provided damaged car but would not repair. Second clutch OK at 52K. Pieces fall off all the time. Cosmetic engine cover snapped in two in cold weather. Headlights fail frequently and cost $55 to replace due to stupid design of light housing. Front grille fall off all the time due to stupid design of fasteners. Interior: no illumination on half the dash so you cant operate the HVAC at night. Dash protrudes so your hand collides with it when shifting (its a 5-spd.)

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  So disappointed - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Andrea - May 17 - 6:30 am

  This car was bought with 32,000 miles. It now has 56,000. Let me put it this way, I will never buy a VW again. I hope this will help some poor soul from making a $5000 dollar mistake. That was $5,000 dollars in repairs. Too many to list. Worst was mass air flow sensor and fuel injectors. Who ever heard of replacing fuel injectors!?

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  2000 VW Beetle - aka Crap Mobile - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By bisrdhazrd - May 8 - 10:00 am

  This is the most disappointing car Ive owned. The interior is falling apart - plastic pieces break, the arm rests are peeling off the door. Several recalls. HORRIBLE service from the VW service shop - LIES, LIES, LIES. A few minor issues with mechanical, but majority is interior problems. I do not recommend buying in the VW family!! If you do - GOOD LUCK!

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  What a piece of Junk !!! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Dr. Mike - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I cant wait to get rid of this piece of %#$@*!!. I got a 39 month lease, that is up in 3 months. I am turning the car in early, next week before something else falls off.I have been stranded 4 time now due to the "clutch safety switch" whick would burn out and not let me start the car. The gas cap door cable has broken twice, the last time I had to pry it open with a screwdriver to put gas in. The buttons for the power windows have all broken, one of them twice. Since it is a Diesel, its almost impossible to start in cool FLORIDA weather. The list goes on and on, but Im sure you get the picture. Im YELLING at you to stay away from this piece of trash.

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  Do NOT buy this car!!! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By silverbbugboi00 - March 26 - 10:00 am

  Buying this car was probably the biggest mistake Ive made. The day I drove it off the lot, nothing but problems. The check engine light was always on, the car had trouble starting EVERY morning, it ate TONS of oil, over a quart every 1,000 miles, the a\c made the entire car shake, and if you did use it, the vents would stink for several days afterward, door handles peeled, sunroof leaked, too much to list here so Ill stop here.

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  More trouble! - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By John - March 20 - 2:16 pm

  Early on we experienced electrical problems, rattles and other issues with this car. We should have sold it! Now, we are replacing the clutch every year. We are now on the fourth clutch for this vehicle. Its going this time!

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  Our yellow nightmare - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By themrfreeze - February 23 - 2:06 pm

  Bought this car brand new. It was okay at first, but the thing started falling apart after a few years. Numerous electrical problems, gauge cluster failure, constant problems with rear brakes seizing. Paint failed in places, and running boards underneath doors get dented easily. Stuff was coming loose and dangling underneath car. Due to its design, this car is very difficult to work on, and some parts are poorly designed due to the cars shape. We unloaded it before it hit 50k miles.

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  Constant Problems........ - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By ccinsf - December 6 - 11:10 am

  Wow, where to begin? POTENTIAL BUYERS BEWARE!! My Beetles factory installed radio had a short in it. The dealer couldnt diagnose it properly, so Ive purchased three batteries for the car and a new old stock radio on eBay. The alternator went at 26,000 miles (out of warranty). The exhaust manifold deteriorated, catalytic converter died, spark plugs keep dying causing 3 out of 4 cylinders to work (happened twice- replaced plugs twice), and the gas cap release has been replaced twice and still does not work. Also, the interior of drivers side door is peeling behind the interior handle. The gearshift cover has fallen off (it has been re-glued twice). The speakers in my car have shorts. Last but not least, the wheels metallic paint has peeled off

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  I AGREE WITH ALL OF THE ABOVE COMPLAINTS - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By SYR - November 28 - 10:00 am

  THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF S... THANK GOD HAS A WARRATY COVERAGE. AS SOON AS MY WARRANTY IS UP, IM SELLING IT.